DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Forum to discuss amp circuits besides the 18 Watters and their ilk.

Moderators: JMPGuitars, CurtissRobin, colossal, zaphod_phil, Daviedawg, Graydon

Post Reply
User avatar
davemojo
Occasional poster
Occasional poster
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed 01/06/21 4:14 am
Location: Hoofddorp
Contact:

DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by davemojo »

Hi All,

This is a self built 5F1, very simple build.
Unfortunately there seems an issue that I am not sure if is faulty Tube
The 6V6 Tube after turning on the Amp at the bottom between the Glass and the Socket but I think is inside the glass tube I see sparks and some sort of noise, difficult to explain is not really a hiss but it feels like something could possibly explode that is the feeling

From the moment I switch the Amp on it takes 6 to 10 secs for the noise and the sparks to appear.

I have checked the soldering all visible parts, I have checked the connections, and there seems to be no mistakes the circuit is simple and I have made some photos and attachment.

Now since I hear that strage noise I unplug the device immediately there is no smoke on components, or on caps not even a bad smell or anything burned but probably because I don't allow the time for anything to happen.

I can see during the 10 secs the Amp is on and the 12AX7 the 6V6 and 5AR4 are glowing I am afraid to leave the amp on in case I burn the whole thing or the tubes.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by davemojo on Thu 12/16/21 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
0 x
Davide Violante
Rockers&Rocks
www.rockers.rocks

User avatar
davemojo
Occasional poster
Occasional poster
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed 01/06/21 4:14 am
Location: Hoofddorp
Contact:

Re: DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by davemojo »

Regarding the noise that seems to be coming from the tube 6V6, but the sparks lighting are definitely from that tube glass, I would define the noise as bleeding noise, or like a I am not sure if that is the correct English expression. It seem like a vent air with light hiss
0 x
Davide Violante
Rockers&Rocks
www.rockers.rocks

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by JMPGuitars »

Get the electrolytic off the chassis wall. Then swap the tube with a different one and see if the problem persists.
2 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

User avatar
davemojo
Occasional poster
Occasional poster
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed 01/06/21 4:14 am
Location: Hoofddorp
Contact:

Re: DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by davemojo »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Thu 12/16/21 11:21 am
Get the electrolytic off the chassis wall. Then swap the tube with a different one and see if the problem persists.
Thanks let me ask the vendor to send another tube I have not another of the same type immediately available I would have tried.

The question is could a tube spark inside and be that normal? I heard that can be normal but I am not sure.
0 x
Davide Violante
Rockers&Rocks
www.rockers.rocks

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by JMPGuitars »

davemojo wrote:
Thu 12/16/21 11:35 am
Thanks let me ask the vendor to send another tube I have not another of the same type immediately available I would have tried.

The question is could a tube spark inside and be that normal? I heard that can be normal but I am not sure.
Seems bad to me. 🤷‍♂️

Here's more opinions: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index ... d.2132033/

Looks like some good tips in there.
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

User avatar
davemojo
Occasional poster
Occasional poster
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed 01/06/21 4:14 am
Location: Hoofddorp
Contact:

Re: DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by davemojo »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Thu 12/16/21 11:49 am
davemojo wrote:
Thu 12/16/21 11:35 am
Thanks let me ask the vendor to send another tube I have not another of the same type immediately available I would have tried.

The question is could a tube spark inside and be that normal? I heard that can be normal but I am not sure.
Seems bad to me. 🤷‍♂️

Here's more opinions: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index ... d.2132033/

Looks like some good tips in there.
Resolved was a defective tube replaced and worked immediately, first time I experienced that. Thanks
3 x
Davide Violante
Rockers&Rocks
www.rockers.rocks

User avatar
davemojo
Occasional poster
Occasional poster
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed 01/06/21 4:14 am
Location: Hoofddorp
Contact:

Re: DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by davemojo »

Hey All,

I have resolved forgot to post but basically the issue was one simple problem, the connection wire that goes from underneath the board to 6V6 tube socket was not properly soldered and that was the only one after rechecking all soldering points one by one I found out

Amp is up and running and great sound out of it
1 x
Davide Violante
Rockers&Rocks
www.rockers.rocks

User avatar
Bieworm
Verbose Moderator
Verbose Moderator
Posts: 2287
Joined: Mon 02/10/20 8:24 am
Location: Belgium

Re: DIY Fender Champ 6V6 Tube Sparking Lightning

Post by Bieworm »

davemojo wrote:
Wed 01/12/22 9:41 am
Hey All,

I have resolved forgot to post but basically the issue was one simple problem, the connection wire that goes from underneath the board to 6V6 tube socket was not properly soldered and that was the only one after rechecking all soldering points one by one I found out

Amp is up and running and great sound out of it
Congrats Davide !!! hurray
0 x
"THIS should be played at high volume..preferably in a residential area"

Post Reply